District 211 open house showcases innovative building, program

Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 celebrated the opening of a new special education building with an open house Aug. 19.

ATP North was constructed on the grounds of Palatine High School to house the Adult Transition Program (ATP). District 211 Building Construction students and District 211 maintenance staff constructed the building in a joint effort.

The new location is the second for the program. The other one is at the Higgins Education Center in Hoffman Estates (ATP-South).

The ATP space offers an environment that supports the transition from high school student to young adult. It allows students to develop and practice skills that are necessary to lead as independent of lives as possible in a supported and safe environment.

Each of the buildings are handicap accessible, including all kitchen appliances, making it is easier for students who struggle with mobility, gross motor skills and navigating smaller spaces.

Since 2009, ATP has provided specific instruction and community-based experiences to 18- to 21-year-old students who have intellectual disabilities. The two locations serve, on average, 60 students per year, or roughly 5 percent of the district's total special education population.

The goal is for students to seamlessly transition from high school to leading adult lives as independently as possible with an individualized plan in place.